Clinical Efficacy and Safety Analysis of Tigecycline in the Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infection

Objective:To study the clinical efficacy and safety of tigecycline in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)combined with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection.Methods:113 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD combined with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection were recruited between January 2021 and January 2023,and given tigecycline treatment.The total effective rate,lung function indexes,related biochemical index levels,and the incidence rate of adverse reactions were observed after the treatment.Results:After the treatment,100 patients were cured,1 case with apparent effect,2 cases were effective,10 cases were ineffective,and the total effective rate was 91.15%.The post-treatment CRP(21.22±3.35 mg/L),PCT(3.18±1.11 ng/L),CRE(76.36±9.24μmol/L),and ALT(37.76±6.99 U/L)were significantly improved as compared to the pre-treatment(P<0.05).After treatment,10 cases of vomiting(8.85%),13 cases of nausea(11.50%),4 cases of diarrhea(3.53%),1 case of abdominal pain(0.88%),and 2 cases of allergy(1.77%)were observed in 113 patients.Conclusion:Tigecycline therapy for patients with acute exacerbation of COPD combined with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection not only has significant therapeutic efficacy but also has a high degree of safety.

Successful treatment of pyogenic ventriculitis caused by extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii with multi-route tigecycline: A case report

BACKGROUND Pyogenic ventriculitis caused by extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(A.baumannii)is one of the most severe complications associated with craniotomy.However,limited therapeutic options exist for the treatment of A.baumannii ventriculitis due to the poor penetration rate of most antibiotics through the blood-brain barrier.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old male patient with severe traumatic brain injury developed pyogenic ventriculitis on postoperative day 24 caused by extensively drug-resistant A.baumannii susceptible to tigecycline only.Successful treatment was accomplished through multi-route administration of tigecycline,including intravenous combined with continuous ventricular irrigation plus intraventricular administration.The pus was cleared on the 3rd day post-irrigation,and cerebrospinal fluid cultures were negative after 12 d.CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that multi-route administration of tigecycline can be a therapeutic option against pyogenic ventriculitis caused by extensively drugresistant A.baumannii.

Postoperative multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis successfully treated with intravenous doxycycline and intraventricular gentamicin: A case report

BACKGROUND Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(MDRAB) has emerged as an increasingly important pathogen that causes nosocomial meningitis. However,MDRAB-associated nosocomial meningitis is rarely reported in children.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 1-year-old girl with a choroid plexus papilloma, who developed postoperative nosocomial meningitis due to MDRAB. The bacterial strain was sensitive only to tigecycline and colistin, and showed varying degrees of resistance to penicillin, amikacin, ceftriaxone, cefixime, cefotaxime,ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gentamicin, meropenem, imipenem, and tobramycin.She was cured with intravenous doxycycline and intraventricular gentamicin treatment.CONCLUSION Doxycycline and gentamicin were shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of a pediatric case of MDRAB meningitis.

Bloodstream Infection with Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii:a Case Report

IN the presence of septic shock,every hour in delaying the administration of effective antibiotics is associated with a measurable increase in mortality.This is especially true for neutropenic patients with septic shock.1 As there is a higher incidence of involving multi-drug resistant pathogens for neutropenic patients,the decision on antibiotics regime remains a challenge for physicians.2 Immunosuppression and previous

Ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP)and pleural empyema caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in HIV and COVID 19 infected patient:A case report

We analyzed the case of a 49-year-old woman with HIV infection off-therapy with poor viro-immunological compensation,not vaccinated for SARS-COV-2,hospitalized for lobar pneumonia and severe COVID19-related respiratory failure in intensive care unit(ICU).The hospitalization was complicated by bacteraemic ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP)caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(MDR-AB)isolated on pleural fluid culture,treated with colistin and cefiderocol for about 3 weeks.The molecular research of MDR-AB on transtracheal aspirate was negative following this therapy.The aim is to show the safety,efficacy and tolerability of colistin-based combination therapy with cefiderocol for Acinetobacter baumannii infection in HIV-infected patient.

中药在控制耐药菌Acinetobacter baumannii繁殖中的研究进展

鲍曼不动杆菌存在多重耐药性,感染后可选择抗菌药物有限,病死率高,抗鲍曼不动杆菌感染是目前临床研究领域的重点和难点。部分中药表现出抑制鲍曼不动杆菌生长的作用,但是其抗菌机制尚不清楚。基于此,本文系统综述了近年来中草药在控制鲍曼不动杆菌感染方面的研究进展,以期为中药抗菌药物的研发提供依据。

Epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii colonization in neonatal intensive care units:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The rising prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)in neonatal intensive care units(NICUs)represents an escalating challenge in healthcare settings,particularly in managing hospital-acquired infections(HAIs).Studies across various World Health Organization regions have documented a significant incidence of CRAB-related HAIs,with rates as high as 41.7 cases per 1000 patients in ICUs,accounting for 13.6%of all HAIs.These infections pose a doubled mortality risk compared to infections with carbapenem-susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii.A particularly concerning aspect of CRAB colonization is its asymptomatic nature,enabling its transmission through healthcare workers(HCWs)or the NICU environment to vulnerable neonates with developing immune systems.AIM To explore the prevalence of CRAB colonization in NICUs,focusing on neonates,healthcare workers,and the environmental samples,to enhance epidemiological understanding and inform targeted interventions.METHODS We conducted according to PRISMA 2020 checklist guidelines,a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases including MEDLINE(Ovid),EMBASE(Ovid),Global Health(Ovid),Web of Science,and Global Index Me-dicus.Studies were selected based on predetermined criteria,primarily involving neonates,HCWs,and environmental swabs,using culture or molecular methods to detect CRAB colonization.We excluded studies that did not specifically focus on NICUs,were duplicates,or lacked necessary data.The study selection and quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers.Data extraction involved collecting comprehensive details about each study.Our statistical analysis used a random-effects model to calculate the pooled prevalence and confidence intervals,stratifying results by regional location.We assessed study heterogeneity using Cochran's Q statistic and I²statistic,with regression tests employed to evaluate potential publication bias.RESULTS We analyzed 737 records from five databases,ultimately including 13 studies from ten countries.For neonates,the pooled prevalence was 4.8%(95%CI:1.1%to 10.5%)with the highest rates observed in South-East Asia(10.5%;95%CI:2.4%to 23.3%).Among HCWs,a single Indian study reported a 3.3%prevalence.Environmental samples showed a prevalence of 2.3%(95%CI:0%to 9.3%),with the highest rates in South-East Asia(10%;95%CI:4.2%to 17.7%).Significant heterogeneity was found across studies,and no publication bias was detected.CONCLUSION This systematic review highlights a significant prevalence of CRAB colonization in neonates across various regions,particularly in South-East Asia,contrasting with lower rates in high-income countries.The study reveals a gap in research on HCWs colonization,with only a single study from India reporting moderate prevalence.Environmental samples indicate moderate levels of CRAB contamination,again higher in South-East Asia.These findings underscore the need for more extensive and focused research on CRAB colonization in NICUs,including exploring the roles of HCWs and the environment in transmission,understanding antimicrobial resistance patterns,and developing effective prevention measures.

Sources of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care unit patients

Background Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii （MDRAB） is an important and emerging hospital-acquired pathogen worldwide. This study was conducted to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care unit （ICU） patients. Methods We conducted a prospective active surveillance study of MDRAB in three ICUs at a Chinese Hospital from April to August 2011, to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia. Results One hundred and fourteen （13.0%） MDRAB isolates were detected from 876 specimens, with a sensitivity of 11.6% （55/474） in screening of the pharyngeal and tracheal swabs, and 14.7% （59/402） of the sputum/endotracheal aspirates. MDRAB colonization/infection was found in 34 （26.8%） of 127 patients, including 16 （12.6%） cases of pure colonization and 18 （14.2%） cases of pneumonia （two pre-ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia and 16 ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia）. Previous respiratory tract MDRAB colonization was found in 22 （17.3%） patients： eight （6.3%） were pre-ICU-acquired colonization and 14 （11.0%）ICU-acquired colonization. Of eight pre-ICU-colonized patients, five were transferred from other wards or hospitals with hospitalization 〉72 hours, and three came from the community with no previous hospitalization. Overall, 6/22 colonized patients presented with secondary pneumonia; only two （9.1%） colonized MDRAB strains were associated with secondary infections. Respiratory tract MDRAB colonization had no significant relationship with nosocomial pneumonia （P=0.725）. In addition, acute respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, renal failure, and prior carbapenem use were risk factors for MDRAB colonization/infection. Conclusions A high proportion of cases of MDRAB colonization/infection in ICU patients were detected through screening cultures. About one-third were acquired from general wards and the community before ICU admission. The low incidence of MDRAB colonization-related pneumonia questions the appropriateness of targeted antibiotic therapy.

Specific and Selective Bacteriophages in the Fight against Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii causes serious infections especially in immunocompromised and/or hospitalized patients.Several A.baumannii strains are multidrug resistant and infect wounds,bones,and the respiratory tract.Current studies are focused on finding new effective agents against A.baumannii.Phage therapy is a promising means to fight this bacterium and many studies on procuring and applying new phages against A.baumannii are currently being conducted.As shown in animal models,phages against multidrug-resistant A.baumannii may control bacterial infections caused by this pathogen and may be a real hope to solve this dangerous health problem.

Antibacterial activities of a novel Cu-bearing high-entropy alloy against multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus

Acinetobacter baumannii and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)are two prevalent pathogens and have developed high resistant to most antibiotics.Therefore,it is a pressing need to develop a new method to inhibit the spread of drug-resistant bacteria.Copper containing high-entropy alloy(HEA,Al0.4CoCr-CuFeNi)is a new kind of alloy material,which shows extensive antibacterial activity and mechanical properties in our previous research.This study further develops another HEA(CoCrCuFeNi)and evaluates its resistance against gram-negative A.baumannii and Gram-positive MRSA.The antibacterial tests show that the antibacterial rate of the HEA toward both bacteria reached nearly 99%,far better than the traditional copper-bearing 304 stainless steel(304 Cu-SS).The biofilm observation shows that the HEA could not only kill the planktonic bacteria,but also effectively inhibit the formation of biofilm.These data demonstrate that CoCrCuFeNi HEA possesses effective antibacterial and antibiofilm activities,making it a potential candidate for using in hospital,food industry,and domestic kitchens.

Control of an Intermittent Outbreak Caused by an Emerging Pandrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clone ST457 in a Tertiary Hospital

Acinetobacter baumannii is a frequent cause of nosocomial infections.Here we report an intermittent outbreak caused by the emerging carbapenem-resistant A.baumannii(CRAB)clone ST457 and assess the effectiveness of patient screening for outbreak control.CRAB isolates were collected from 74 patients admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital between May 2018 and March 2019.Fourteen CRAB isolates were assigned to ST457,and 13 belonged to an outbreak clone,as determined by phylogenomic analysis.Strict patient screening was started at the respiratory intensive care unit on May 2019,through which a ST457-positive patient transferred from the intensive care unit was detected.No positive patients were detected within 3months onwards.The results of this study highlight the importance of rigorous infection prevention and control measures,combined with patient screening,in controlling the CRAB outbreak.

Control of multidrug-resistant planktonic Acinetobacter baumannii:biocidal efficacy study by atmospheric-pressure air plasma

In this research,an atmospheric-pressure air plasma is used to inactivate the multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in liquid.The efficacy of the air plasma on bacterial deactivation and the cytobiological variations after the plasma treatment are investigated.According to colony forming units,nearly all the bacteria（6-log） are inactivated after 10 min of air plasma treatment.However,7% of the bacteria enter a viable but non-culturable state detected by the resazurin based assay during the same period of plasma exposure.Meanwhile,86% of the bacteria lose their membrane integrity in the light of SYTO 9/PI staining assay.The morphological changes in the cells are examined by scanning electron microscopy and bacteria with morphological changes are rare after plasma exposure in the liquid.The concentrations of the long-living RS,such as H2O2,NO3^- and O3,in liquid induced by plasma treatment are measured,and they increase with plasma treatment time.The changes of the intracellular ROS may be related to cell death,which may be attributed to oxidative stress and other damage effects induced by RS plasma generated in liquid.The rapid and effective bacteria inactivation may stem from the RS in the liquid generated by plasma and air plasmas may become a valuable therapy in the treatment of infected wounds.

Study on Distribution of Acinetobacter baumannii Complex in Dental Hospital Using Multiplex PCR

Purpose: In recent years, multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has appeared and caused outbreaks of hospital infections all over the world. Close monitoring of this pathogen and other A. baumanii complex species is considered of critical importance to public health organizations. The reliable identification method able to distinguish A. baumannii from genetically close Acinetobacter species is needed, because these species are unable to be differentiated by phenotypic or biochemical methods. The purpose of the present study was to design species-specific primers in order to identify and detect A. baumanii complex species, and Acinetobacter lwoffii which is frequently detected from the human specimens, and to investigate the distribution of these organisms in dental hospital using a multiplex PCR. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were designed based on partial sequences of the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene and DNA gyrase subunit B (gyrB) of each species of A. baumanii complex species. Swab samples were collected from ten dental spittoon units in dental hospital, and the distribution of A. baumanii complex species was investigated using a multiplex PCR. Results: These primers were able to distinguish each species of A. baumanii complex species clearly. A. baumanii and A. calcoaceticus were detected at 20.0% and 10.0% in ten swab samples, respectively. On the other hand, A. nosocomialis, A. lowffii, and A. pittii were detected from no sample. Conclusion: Our developed one-step multiplex PCR method is accurate, specific, cost-effective, time-saving, and worked without requiring DNA extraction.

Risk Factors Associated with MDR and CR Acinetobacter baumannii Carriage among ICU Patients Hospitalized at MOI Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

Background: Multi-drug resistant and Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections present a significant challenge in hospital ICU settings worldwide and the threat posed is worse in developing countries including Kenya. Despite the limited treatment options, there is inadequate comprehensive data on factors associated with MDR and CR Acinetobacter baumannii carriage among ICU patients hospitalized at hospitals. This study therefore aimed to address this gap and determined risk factors associated with MDR and CR Acinetobacter baumannii carriage among ICU patients hospitalized at MOI Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya. Methods: Through cross-sectional study design, a total of 132 ICU admitted patients were purposively enrolled in this study between July 2019 and July 2020. Demographic and risk factors associated with MDR and CR Acinobacter baumannii were collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and bivalent analysis were used for data analysis obtained. Level of statistical significance was 95% confidence interval (CI) for all analysis. Results: Bivariable analysis showed that employed participants were 3.4 times more likely to have A. baumannii compared to the unemployed (cOR = 3.38, 95%, CI: 1.09 - 10.43, p = 0.035). Patients who were having high BMI were likely to be infected by A. baumannii compared to those who had normal/low BMI (aOR = 11.2, 95%, CI: 3.57 - 21.11, p = 0.004). Those who were aged ≥ 50 years were 21 times more likely to be carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, COR = 21.0, 95% CI: 1.83 - 240.52, p = 0.011. Those who stayed in ICU for more than 30 days were 16 times more likely to be carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii compared to those who had been admitted (COR = 16.0, 95% CI: 1.45 - 176.45, p = 0.019). Conclusion: Increased length of hospital stay, obesity and marital status were the factors found to be significantly associated with A. baumannii infections among ICU admitted patients. On the other hand, gender, age, level of education, occupation, referral status and presence of infection were found to have no significant association with A. baumannii infections among ICU admitted patients. All patients admitted to the intensive care units should be screened for colonization with A. baumannii, owing to the poor treatment outcomes associated with carriage of this multidrug resistant pathogen. Proper infection control in the ICU settings should be upheld to mitigate the spread of A. baumannii in the intensive care units.

High prevalence of multidrug-resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii and dissemination of carbapenemase-encoding genes bla_(OXA-23-like),bla_(OXA-24-like)and bla_(NDM-1) in Algiers hospitals

Objective:To assess and characterize antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii strains recovered from 5 health-care facilities in Algiers.Methods:Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by agar diffusion and agar dilution methods,resistance genes were identified by PCR and sequencing,and molecular typing of isolates was carried out by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR(ERIC-PCR).Results:Among 125 tested isolates,117(93.6% ) were multidrug-resistant.of which 94(75.2% ) were imipenem resistant.The bla_(ADC)and bla_(OXA-51-like) genes were detected in all isolates,in association with ISAba I sequence in 84% and 8% (imipenem resistant) of isolates,respectively.The bla_(OXA-23-like) and bla_(OXA-24-like)carbapenemase genes were delected in 67.02% and 20.21% of imipenem-resistant isolates,respectively.The bla_(OXA-23-like) gene is linked to ISAba1 or ISAba4 elements.The metallo-β-lactamase NDM-1 gene was found in 10(10.6% ) imipenem-resisianl strains from three hospitals,it is linked to ISAba125 clement in nine strains.Extended spectrum β-lactamases production was not detected.Imipenem and cefotaxime resistance phenolypes could not be transferred to Escherichia coli by conjugation.Outer membrane protein CarO gene was not delected in four imipenem-resisianl isolates.The aac(6')-1b.sul1,sul2,tetA and tetB genes were present in 5.31% .36.17% .77.65% .1.06% and 65.92% of strains,respectively.Class 1 integrons were detected in 23.4% strains.KRIC-PCR typing showed a genetic diversity among bla_(OXA-23-like) and bla_(OXA-24-like) positive strains,while clonality was observed among bla_(NDM-1)positives.Conclusions:This study highlighted the high prevalence of imipenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii in Algiers hospitals mediated mainly by bla_(OXA-23-like),bla_(OXA-24-like),and bla_(NDM-1) genes.

Clinical Distribution and Drug Resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii in a Hospital from 2019 to 2021

Objective:To analyze the clinical distribution and drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii(AB)and provide reference for the treatment of AB infection.Methods:AB isolated from clinical specimens of Huaihua First People’s Hospital from 2019 to 2021 were collected and identified by VITEK 2 Compact,an automated microbial identification and susceptibility testing system,in which drug sensitivity test was also performed.Excel was used for statistical analysis.Results:Among the 1,311 AB strains,81.16%(1,064 strains)were from sputum samples,and the departments with the highest detections rates of AB were neurosurgery(24.33%),intensive care(15.48%)and infectious disease(11.44%).The drug sensitivity test showed that the resistance rate of 1,311 AB strains to compound sulfamethoxazole and amikacin was 28.38%and 20.54%,respectively,and the resistance rate to 10 other kinds of common antibiotics was more than 40%.Conclusion:The 1,311 AB strains isolated were widely distributed in clinical settings and had strong resistance to commonly used antibiotics.Therefore,it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of pathogens and drug resistance,formulate reasonable and effective infection control measures,and ensure that antibiotics are used in a reasonable manner.

Analysis on drug-resistance and molecular epidemiology of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from the clinical samples in two Chinese hospitals

In the present study, the drug-resistance genes encodingβ-lactamases, aminoglycoside modifying enzymes, DNA topoisomerases and integron as well as their molecular epidemiology were investigated by means of analyzing the drug-resistance and molecular epidemiology of Acinebacter bau mannii isolated from the clinical samples in two hospitals in Qiangzhou and Huzhou city of Jiangsu and Zhejiang province from July 2000 to March 2005. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of these 307 isolates were detected by automatic microbiological system, and 35 strains against 5-fluoro-quinolones were performed by agar dilution assay. Meanwhile, the resistant genes in 80 isolates were amplified by PCR with identification by DNA sequencer. It was found that most of the 307 isolates of A . baumannii were resistant to multiple antibiotics tested, in which the resistance rates of the isolates against piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, amoxacillin/clavulanic acid, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime, gentamicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim were all above 35% , but those of imipenem and meropenem were quite low, ranged only 2.6% and 3.3%. In addition, it was also demonstrated that the positive rates of TEM and SHVβ-lactamase genes accounted for 93.8% and 22.5% respectively, and those of the aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes including aacC1, aacC2, aacC3, aacC4, aacC4A, aphA6, ant(2')-I and ant(3') I were 58.8%, 8.8%, 7.5%, 28.8%, 45.0%, 2.5%, 28.8% and 65.0% respectively. The mutations in the quinolone-resistant determining region (QRDR) of gyrA and parC genes indicated that substitution in Ser-83 residue of GyrA protein was most frequently occurred among strains with MIC for ciprofloxacin of more than 4μg/ml, whereas a double mutation at Ser-83 residue of gyrA and Ser-80 of parC was found in strains with MIC of ciprofloxacin of more than 8μg/ml. As to the positive rates of class 1 integron (Int I -1) and qacE△1-sul-1, it was found to be 60.0% and 77.5% respectively, and the rates of resistant genes of strains isolated in these two hospitals varied considerably. The results obtained in the present study indicate the presence of the multiple resistant genes in strains of A. baumannii , and great measures should be taken to control the spread of the resistant strains carrying the resistant genes.

Acinetobacter baumannii WJ6菌落的生长及其异养硝化-好氧反硝化特性

从活性污泥中分离出一株异养硝化-好氧反硝化菌WJ6,经16S rDNA鉴定该菌株被命名为Acinetobacter baumannii WJ6。菌株WJ6的生长状况与硝化及反硝化程度几乎一致。在以(NH_4)_2SO_4为唯一氮源时,经过24 h培养该菌株的氨氮去除率为95.4%;在分别以硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐作为唯一氮源时,经过32 h培养,硝酸盐氮的去除率达到81.7%,亚硝酸盐氮的去除率达到94.9%,表明该菌株具有良好的异养硝化-好氧反硝化能力。

Antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii : From bench to bedside

Acinetobacter baumannii(A. baumannii) is undoubtedly one of the most successful pathogens in the modern healthcare system. With invasive procedures, antibiotic use and immunocompromised hosts increasing in recent years, A. baumannii has become endemic in hospitals due to its versatile genetic machinery, which allows it to quickly evolve resistance factors, and to its remarkable ability to tolerate harsh environments. Infections and outbreaks caused by multidrugresistant A. baumannii(MDRAB) are prevalent and have been reported worldwide over the past twenty or more years. To address this problem effectively, knowledge of species identification, typing methods, clinical manifestations, risk factors, and virulence factors is essential. The global epidemiology of MDRAB is monitored by persistent surveillance programs. Because few effective antibiotics are available, clinicians often face serious challenges when treating patients with MDRAB. Therefore, a deep understanding of the resistance mechanisms used by MDRAB can shed light on two possible strategies to combat the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance: stringent infection control and antibiotic treatments, of which colistin-based combination therapy is the mainstream strategy. However, due to the current unsatisfying therapeutic outcomes, there is a great need to develop and evaluate the efficacy of new antibiotics and to understand the role of other potential alternatives, such as antimicrobial peptides, in the treatment of MDRAB infections.

Biofilm formation in clinical isolates of nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii and its relationship with multidrug resistance

Objective: To check biofilm formation by Acinetobacter baumannii(A. baumannii)clinical isolates and show their susceptibility to different antibiotics and investigate a possible link between establishment of biofilm and multidrug resistance.Methods: This study was performed on clinical samples collected from patients with nosocomial infections in three hospitals of Tehran. Samples were initially screened by culture and biochemical tests for the presence of different species of Acinetobacter. Identifications were further confirmed by PCR assays. Their susceptibilities to 11 antibiotics of different classes were determined by disc diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The ability to produce biofilm was investigated using methods: culture on Congo red agar, microtiter plate, and test tube method.Results: From the overall clinical samples, 156 specimens were confirmed to contain A. baumannii. The bacteria were highly resistant to most antibiotics except polymyxin B.Of these isolates, 10.26% were able to produce biofilms as shown on Congo red agar.However, the percentage of bacteria with positive biofilm in test tube, standard microtiter plate, and modified microtiter plate assays were 48.72%, 66.66%, and 73.72%, respectively. At least 92% of the biofilm forming isolates were multidrug resistant.Conclusions: Since most of the multidrug resistant strains produce biofilm, it seems necessary to provide continuous monitoring and determination of antibiotic susceptibility of clinical A. baumannii. This would help to select the most appropriate antibiotic for treatment.